Fertiliser Shortage Sparks Farmer Unrest In Odisha’s Malkangiri
Farmers in Odisha’s Malkangiri are reeling under a severe fertiliser shortage, sparking protests and unrest in the region.
Bhubaneswar: Farmers in Odisha’s Malkangiri are reeling under a severe fertiliser shortage, sparking protests and unrest in the region.
On Friday, hundreds of farmers thronged the Mathili LAMPS (Large Area Multipurpose Cooperative Society) after authorities had earlier announced distribution of fertilisers. The gathering was so massive that traffic on National Highway-326 came to a grinding halt, prompting police intervention to restore order.
According to sources, only about 1,200 bags of fertiliser were available at the LAMPS centre. Distribution was carried out through a token system, with each farmer receiving just one bag — a move that has triggered anger and resentment, as cultivators argue that such a meagre supply is grossly inadequate for their fields. Tension simmered at the site as farmers expressed outrage over the shortfall.
Adding to their frustration are allegations that urea bags are being siphoned off into the black market, where they are reportedly being sold at prices as high as Rs 1,000 per bag.
This is not the first time the issue has flared up. Just days ago, hundreds of farmers had staged a blockade on NH-326 near Mathili, protesting acute shortages during the peak cropping season. The agitation brought traffic to a standstill for several hours, with farmers alleging that their crops were on the brink of drying up due to lack of fertiliser.
The unrest follows widespread allegations of corruption, with farmers accusing the Mathili LAMPS office of diverting fertiliser stocks to the black market.
Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, reacting to the crisis, warned that anyone found selling fake or diverted fertiliser would face immediate imprisonment.
